From the rear cover: Low Shelf Angels is a collection of 72 poems that were written in greasy spoon diners, dive bars, old cars, thrift stores, a cold garage, on park benches, back porches, and sidewalks in several Midwestern states.

Luke Austin Daugherty is a poet, author, singer/songwriter, and ebay entrepreneur. Find him on WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and at his favorite local haunts around Indiana if you happen to be sipping hot coffee or cold beer in the same place at the same time.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke

The “Real You”, an original poem by: Luke Austin Daugherty Copyright 2016 on the poem and picture, All Rights Reserved.

Big news! My new poetry book Low Shelf Angels will be available soon, so follow for updates! And, be sure to check out the poetry I have previously shared on this blog over the years! Some of those poems are in the new book, BUT it is mostly comprised of unpublished work.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke

My new poetry book Low Shelf Angels is coming soon! A proof copy is on the way for me to review and then it’s all ready to publish! I did some fun typewriter art on my Royal Mercury for this promo picture. Two years of writing everywhere from coffee shops, to hotels, bars, and my own garage at 4 a.m. went into the 72 poems for this new book. I wrote these poems in various journals, on coffee shop place mats, various typewriters, laptops, and on my own skin when nothing else was handy. I truly hope that you’ll grab one or 50 copies when it’s available! Follow me for publishing updates here at wordpress, on instagram, or my website at http://www.lukeaustindaugherty.com 🙂

Be sure to check out the poetry I have previously shared on this blog over the years! Some of those poems are in the new book, BUT it is mostly comprised of unpublished work.

As always, thank you for reading and sharing my blog! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! Your kind contribution may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal “tip jar” link that follows and THANKS! -Luke

By the way, I accept tips now! I am an independent poet, author, and singer/songwriter and I have my own ebay business to keep me as flexible as possible. But, writing takes time and if you appreciate what I do, if you have been moved or made to think by my writing, OR have just enjoyed something on my blog, please throw a buck or two in my tip jar! 🙂 Your kind tip may buy me a cup of coffee out at my next writing session. Click my easy paypal link that follows and THANKS! -Luke – Luke Austin Daugherty’s Tip Jar

It’s Veterans Day! I tip my hat to you vets of all ages out there! Also, yesterday was the 240th birthday of the Marine Corps.

I was honored last year to sing my song, “Ballad of an Old Soldier,” for the Indy Honor Flight WW2 vets. The song was inspired by veterans in my family and WW2 vets that I used to have on my oxygen route when I was in the home healthcare industry during my early twenties. Several of them would share their memories of the war with me unprompted and I was glad to listen. I even had two men who lived less than a mile from one another who had been in the same battle. One served in the Navy and the other in the Marines. They did not know one another, and due to HIPAA regulations, I could not tell them about one another. Yet, their experiences from WW2 and attitudes toward them were very similar.

I wrote, “Afghanistan,” for younger veterans about seven years ago. I was a driver for a moving company at the time and delivered an international shipment to a Marine who was fresh back from the war. As he shared some of his experiences with me, I said, “You know, you really don’t see a hell of a lot about Afghanistan on TV anymore. It’s all about Iraq.” He replied, “Nope. Afghanistan just isn’t sexy enough for TV.” That conversation inspired me to write this song.

Also, to any of my fellow Americans who strive to maintain freedom and liberty, help others in this life, and make things a little better for all of us in general, thanks to you as well! Just being a kind person, a good mom or dad, purposing to keep growing as an individual, setting a good example for others, and encouraging others in this life is admirable. Many fight for the cause of freedom and liberty from within our own borders with songs, pens, one-on-one conversations, street actions, and social media. Regardless of how you go about it, keep up the good work! -Luke

“I Saw the Incensed Horde” by Luke Austin Daugherty- A poem dedicated to the memory of Farkhunda of Kabul, Afghanistan and the eradication of the violent, fundamental religious ideology which caused her murder. Copyright 2015- All Rights Reserved, Luke Austin Daugherty

I saw the initial, uncensored videos of Farkhunda’s murder when they hit the internet last month. I wrote this poem laying in bed, unable to sleep, as I thought about her that same night.It is my hope that her story may break up the stony hearts of those who would support or engage in such inhuman atrocities.

To all who read- Your fellow humans must rank higher than your personal ideology. An ideology has no breath, no feelings, and senses no pain. It is an abstract. Your fellow humans do. They need you and you need them.

If you have the time, please visit some of the following links to learn more about this heart-wrenching story and Farkhunda, a woman murdered in public by insane zealots.